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id   -scientific      Monthly  (Toledo  ,0. )  ,Vol.  I, Mo.  5, Peb 

,,^f 


CF  SOME  J3IRDS  OBSERVED  IN  .  THE 
MINNEAPOLIS,.  MINN.,   NOT  ENUMERATED 
IN  DR.   HATCH'S  LfXT. 

.     r  BY  THOMAS'S.  ROBERT-. 

[Communicated  by  Robert  Rid 

fuscescens.     Probably  common. 
"egiilus  satrapa.     Occasional,  during  migrations. 

3.  Sitta  Canadensis.     Rare. 

4.  Cistothorus  stellaris.     Rare  summer  resident. 

5.  *  Helminthophaga  chrysoptera.     Rare  summer  resident. 

6.  Helminthophaga  per egrina.    Abundant  during  spring  migrations  of  1875. 
Dendroica  blackburnice.     Occasional  during  migrations. 

Dendroica  striata.     During  migrations. 
•).     Dendroica  tigrina.     During  both    spring    anjd   fall   migration s.     (Five 

ens  taken.) 

10.     Myiodioctes  Canadensis.     During  migrations, 
r^t     Coturniculus  passer  inus.     Common. 

12.  Eitspiza  Americana.     Abundant  during  the  summer  of  1874,  but  none 
sited  us  in  1875. 

13.  Zcnotrichia  querula.     While  riding  through  an  open,  scrubby  section  of 
nint'ry  some  seven  or  eight  miles  from  Minneapolis,  on  the  9th  of  Mr.y,  1874,  I      mi 
w  large  numbers  of  this  species.     Twj(were  shot,  one  of  which  is  in  the  pbs- 
ssion  of  Dr.  P.  L.  Hatch,     On  the  1 6th  of  the  same  month  **T  obtained  the 

st  specimen  that  has  been  seen  in  this  locality,  although  constant  and  thor- 
j  <rch  has  been  made  each  succeeding  fall  and  spring. 

14.  Cardinalis  Virginianus.  /  A  brilliant-plumaged  male  shot  on  the  23rd'  of 
ctober,  1875,  in  the  midst  of  the  large  woods  about  six  miles  from  Minneapolis. 

15.  Contopus  borealis.     Rare  summer  resident. 

1 6.  Hylotomus  pileatusj    Common  in  heavily  timbered  sections. 

17.  Sphyropicus  varius.     Common  in  heavily  timbered  sections. 

£  ,  ni  r  omits  bairdi.     Several  specimens  taken. 

19.  Calidris  arenaria.     Shot  by  Mr.  W.  L.  Tiffany  on  sandy  beach 

ke  near  Minneapolis,  September  22nd,  1875.     (Specimen  in  iry  collection.) 

20.  Sterna  f or  stir  i.     Not  common.  • 

A  cow,  in  the  town  of  Eden,  the  mother  of  a  handsome  calf,  was  crossing 
ic  railroad  a  few  days  since.  She  had  cleared  the  last  rail  when  the  passenger 
ain  appeared.  The  animal  hastened  towards  the  fence.  Looking  back  she 
•i\v  her  offspring  standing  on  the  track.  With  a  frightened  look  she  made  a 
i,eous  but  useless  appeal  to  the  foolish  little  creature  to  follow  her.  On  came 
he  train,  and  still  stood  the  calf, -by  this  time  facing  the  train.  The  engineer 

>  scare  the  little  fool  away  by  making  the  whistle  scream,  but  he  wouldn't 
.care.  When  'the  train  was  within  ten  rods  of  the  calf  the  cow  made  a  rush  for 
ior  silly  child,  caught  him  on  her  horns,  and  bore  him  away  in  safety. 

2 

48,3342 


• 

O     v*»^»w     «w 


THE  SCIENTIFIC  MONTHLY. 


BIRDS  OBSERVED    IN   THE    VICINITY   OF  OAKLAND,    CAL.\ 

DECEMBER  23,  1872. 

.   NELSON  OF  CHICAGO. 

The  following  observations  were  made  during  a  day's  collecting,  in  the  [ 
vicinity  of  .  Oakland.  Cal.1  where  myself  and  friend,  Mr.  W.  Wentw.orth,  were  ^ 
stopping  for  a  few  days,  the  last  of  December,  1872.  t 

The  principal  portion  of  the  day  was  spent  on  an  arm  of  San   Francisco  ) 
Bay  and  the  adjacent  marshes,  which  are  extended  along  south  of  Oakland.     A 
dense  fog  covered  the  bay  early  in  the  morning  and  confined  us  to  the  shore. 
The  time  was  pleasantly  spent,  however,  in  examining  the  town,  which  is  pleas- 
antly situated  on  a  slope  commencing  at  the  bay,  on  the  south  and  west, 
rising-gradually  to  slight  hills,  just  back  of  town,  and  a  few  miles  to  the  north 
increasing  to  a  low  range  of  mountains. 

The  only  timber  to  be  seen  was  the  belt  of  oaks  extending  along  near  the 
bay,  and  in  the  midst  of  which,  the  town  is  situated. 

It  seemed  very  curious  to  us  to  see  the  plants  in  the  gardens  full  of  blos- 
soms at  this  season  of  the  year,  and  as  though  to  mimic  summer  still  closer,  st 
Anna  Humming  Birds  (Calypte  Anna)  were  darting  about  among  the  flowers. 

As  we  proceeded  toward  the  outskirts  of  the  town  a  small  flock  of  Pi 
finches  (Carpodacus  fyntalikar  rhodocolpus)  lit  in  an  oak  and  looked  unsus-2 
piciously  at  us  as  we  passed  underneath. 

On  the  edge  of  the  town  we  found  a  small  lake  made  by  building  p. 
across  the  outlet  of  an  arm  of  the  bay,  which  extended  back  a  mile  or  more 
from  the  main  body  of  water.     This  lake  appeared  to  be  the  home  of  numerou- 
water  fowl,  notwithstanding  there  were  several  residences  on  its  banks  and  I™ 
much  frequented  road  extending  along  one  side. 

On  two  oak  trees  near  the  lake  several  White  Pelicans  (Pekcanus  trader- 
hvnchus)  were  pluming  themselves.  In  the  centre  of  the  lake  a  large  flock  o. 
ducks  were  splashing  about,  seeming  to  well  understand  that  they  were  unde:' 
the  protection  of  the  law.  On  the  shore  near  by  a  flock.  of  Semi-palmated  S 
pipers  (Ereunetes  pusillus)  ran  nimbly  about,  and  on  the  opposite  shore  a  Whit- 
Heron  (  Ara  a  egretta  var.  Calif  ornica)  stalked  sedately  along. 

The  fog  showing  signs  of  dispersing,  we  hastened  back  to  our  boat.  As  we 
walked  out  on  the  wharf  we  saw  several  grebes  (including  the  two  species  Podi 
ceps  occidentalis  and  P.  Auritus  var.  Calif  or  nic  us]  swimming  near.  Observing  tha 
they  had  not  seen  us,  we  concealed  ourselves  and  watched  their  movements 
They  appeared  to  be  intently  soanning  the  surface  of  the  water  about  them, 
which  was  soon  explained  by  the  movements  of  one  of  the  grebes.  A  school  of 
minnows  passing  near  them  was  at  once  seen,  when  the  grebe  quietly  disar  - 
peared  and  suddenly  there  was  a  great  commotion  among  the  minnows.  It 
evident  from  the  manner  in  which  they  leaped  from  trje  water  and  darted  about 
that  they  well  understood  their  danger.  Presently  the  grebe  reappeared  with  a 
struggling  victim  which  he  quickly  swallowed,  ano^,  noting  the  direction  taken  v/ 


THE    SCIENTIFIC    MONTHLY:  ;*•    A    . 

*  •.*•••»•• 

the  survivors,  was  soon  among  them  again.  Once  the  grebe  followed  its  prey 
so  close  to  the  wharf  that  we  could  see  both.  At  first  the  minnows  tried  to 
escape  by  scattering  and  darting  down  into  deep  water,  but  the  grebe  singled 
out  one  and  gradually  drove  it  toward  the  surface,  all  the  time  drawing  nearer, 
and  just  as  the  minnow  was  about  to  leap  from  the  water  it  was  caught. 

The  fog  being  now  nearly  gone  we  pushed  off  in  our  boat.  As  we  rowed 
out  from  shore  immense,  numbers  of  ducks  arose  from  the  water,  in  every  direc- 
tion, and  after  wheeling  about  a  few  times  the  most  of  them  started  off.  When 
they  circled  by  we  recognized  several  species.  The  Scaup  Duck  (Fulix  affinnis) 
and  Widgeon  (Mareca  Americana)  appeared  to  be  the  most  numerous.  There 
were  also  many  Buffie-heads  (Bucephala  albeola)  and  Gd.dwaills-(C/?an/e/asmus 
streperus,)  while  from  the  marsh  came  the  familiar  u  quack  "  of  the  Mallard 
(Anas  boschas.) 

Just  in  advance  we  noticed  several  large  waders  on  a  point  of  land  and 
rowed  over  near  them.  They  proved  to  be  Willets  ( SympJiemia  semipalmata,) 
which  on  our  approach  seemed  to  appoint  themselves  a  special  committee  of 
investigation,  hovering  overhead  and  keeping  up  a  continual  outcry,  as  though 
warning  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  marsh  to  beware  of  us. 

After  a  pair  of  them  were  shot  the  rest  left,  at  once,  for  a  safer  location. 
Pushing  the  boat  up  into  a  narrow  strip  of  grass*  bordering  the  marsh  we  were 
greatly  amused  by  the  actions  of  a  large  Rail  ( ' Rallus  longirostris;)  as  the  bow 
of  the  boat  was  pushed  up  into  one  side  of  the  strip  of  the  grass  the  Rail  with 
great  deliberation  walked  out  of  the  other  side,  only  one  or  two  yards  in  ad- 
vance, and  after  looking  at  us  in  apparent  amazement  for  an  instant,  com- 
menced gravely  walking  toward  a  bunch  of  rushes  a  short  distance  away.  Every 
step  was  taken  very  carefully,  the  foot  being  raised  slowly  and  placed  gently  in 
advance,  the  bird  all  the  time  looking  as  though  it  were  in  deep  meditation,  nor 
did  our  shouts  and  rattling  the  oars  about  have  the  least  effect  on  its  pace. 

Landing,  we  started  toward  a  distant  bridge  on  which  several  Blue  Herons 
(Ardea  herodias)  were  standing.  With  characteristic  shyness  they  declined  a 
close  intimacy  and  flew  long  before  we  were  within  gunshot.  Occasionally  a  Wil- 
son's Snipe  (  Gallinago  Wilsoni)  sprang  from  a  muddy  spot  and  darted  away  as 
we  walked  along,  and  from  the  grassy  pools  numbers  of  Mallards  and  Spoonbills 
(Spatula  Clypeata)  flew  noisily  off  on  our  approach. 

A  low  whistling  cry  from  a  depression,  to  one  side,  attracted  our  attention; 
and  on  our  approach  we  were  astonished  to  see  a  large  flock  of  Long-billed 
Curlews  (Numenius  longirostris  )  and  Marbled  Godwits  (Limosa  Fe.doa)  raise 
and  fly  away.  After  flying  a  short  distance  they  turned  and  came  near  enough 
for  us  to  secure  a  fine  Curlew. 

A  flock  of  large  Terns  were  standing  on  a  bare  mud  flat,  but  on  our  ap- 
pearance they  arose  and  flew  over,  coming  so  near  that  one  was  winged ;  not 
heeding  the  deafening  cries  of  the  wounded  bird,  its  companions  kept  steadily 
on  and  soon  disappeared. 

To  our  satisfaction  the  Tern  proved  to  be  a  fine  specimen  of  Sterna  Caspia. 


234.  t.,    .  '*  ..JTHE.    SCIENTIFIC    MONTHLY. 

-al  Biack-DelliecT  Plovers  (  Squatarola  helvetica)  were  observed  on  a  piece  of 
pasture  land  near  the  marsh,  and  after  considerable  effort  one  was  obtained." 

In  the  afternoon,  as  the  tide  fell,  leaving  long  strips  of  mud  flats  with  here 
and  there  pools  containing  small  fish  and  other  edible  matter,  the  water  fowl 
commenced  coming  to  the  feast,  and  soon  the  flats  were  swarming  with  ducks, 
mergansers  and  gulls,  which  kept  up  a  continual  quarreling  and  running  about, 
making  a  great  noise. 

Among  the  gulls,  Larus  Philadelphia  was  the  most  numerous  species,  but 
Z.  argentatus  var.  Occidentalis  and  Z.  delawarensis  var.  Californicus  were  abuQ- 
dant,  and  several  Short-billed  gulls  ( L.  can-its  var.  brachyrhynchus)  were  ob- 
served, and  one  specimen  obtained. 

Towards  evening  numbers  of  Goosanders  (  Mergus  merganser)  and  Scoters 
(Oedemia  perspicillata  var.  trcwbridgii)  came  into  the  open  water. 

Near  sunset,  several  Brown  Pelicans  (Peleamus  fuscus)  c   nmenced  fishing 
near  the  ruins  of  an  old  wharf,  which  was  built  out  in  the  ba   .     From  the  ap-  > 
pearance  of  these  birds,  while  standing,  one  would  form  the  opinion  that  they 
must  be  very  ungainly  flyers;  yet  the  contrary  is  the  fact,  for  their  movements 
in  the  air  are  far  more  light  and   graceful  than  those  of  many  birds  which  look 
much  lighter  and  seem  more  capable  of  easy^  flight.      They  first  made  1 
appearance  from  the  west,  and  as  they  approached  the  fishing  grounds  they  set 
their  wings  and  with  their  head  drawn  back  upon  the  body,  the  bill  extending 
forward  over  the  breast,  came  gliding  along  for  a  considerable  distance. 

After  circling  about  a  short  time  they  descended  and  commenced  fishing., 
Flying  along  ten  or  fifteen  yards  high  they  carefully  examined  the  water  below. 
and  when  their  prey  was  observed  they  would  turn  and  nearly  closing  their  wings 
dart  down  into  the  water  and  appear  to  strike  on  their  breast,  at  the  same  time 
thrust  their  bill  forward  to  capture  the  fish.  Then  rising  lightly  from  the  water 
they  would  repeat  their  operation.  They  were  quite  unsuspicious  and  allowed  ' 
the  boat  to  approach  within  gunshot,  when  a  pair  were  easily  brought  down. 

The  sun  sinking  behind  hills  in  the  direction  of  the  "  Golden  Gate  "  warned 
us  that  it  was  time  to  turn  our  boat  homeward,  and  we  reluctantly  bade  fare- 
well to  one  of  the  pleasan-test  days  we  had  enjoyed  for  some  time. 


A  PREHISTORIC  ROAD. — Several  years  ago  portions  of  an  ancient  maca- 
damised road  were  discovered  on  the  banks  of  the  Monongahela  River,  near 
Fairmount,  West  Virginia ;  and,  on  a  recent  exploration  by  Government  sur- 
veyors, it  was  traced  for  nearly  eleven  miles  along  the  bottom  land  between  the 
river  and  the  hills.  Its  width  is  fifteen  feet ;  it  is  composed  of  boulders 
of  red  sandstone,  which  must  have  been  brought  from  a  distance,  there 
being  few  if  any  boulders  in  or  near  the  river.  It  is  /supposed  that  the  stones 
were  broken  into  pieces  by  first  heating  and  then  throwing  water  upon  them. 
The  depth  of  broken  stone  is  about  eighteen  inches.  At  many  points  there  are 
large  trees,  over  150  years  old,  growing  in  the  road  ;  showing  that  it  was  built 
long  prior  to  the  advent  of  the  white  man  in  this  country. 


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U.  C.  BERKELEY 

ette — 


i.  0  I  2001 


JECT  TO  BECAU. 
IMMEDIATELY 


REC'D  BIOS 


22  '01  -1  oo 


ti 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFORNIA,  BERKELEY 

FORM  NO.  DDO.  50m,  1 1  /94  BERKELEY,  CA  94720 


PAMPHLET  BINDER 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Stockton,  Calif. 


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